BC Transit seeks View Royal property for regional handyDART facility

BC Transit has set its sights on a property in View Royal for a new regional handyDART facility to address the expected increase in demand for the service.

A property at 2014 Burnside Rd., southeast of the intersection of Burnside Road and Watkiss Way is being considered, BC Transit said in a statement released this week.

The plan is for BC Transit to apply to the Town of View Royal for an amendment to the Official Community Plan to allow for rezoning before the end of 2017. The existing handyDART facility on Glanford Avenue in Saanich is operating beyond capacity and cannot support the anticipated growth in future service.

The need for a new facility was identified in the Victoria Regional Transit System’s Future Transit Plan in 2011. The plan, which was endorsed by the Transit Commission, provided a vision for transit over the next 25 years to support the economic, social and environmental sustainablilty goals of the region. It was based on local government land use and transportation plans, including the Regional Growth Strategy, travel choices and official community plans.

Although BC Transit would purchase the entire eight-acre property, the initial plan for the facility and parking would utilize the far southern corner, next to the Trans-Canada Highway. That would leave a significant portion of the property as greenspace, and allow for the continued use of the Galloping Goose Trail, as well as by the Victoria Bowmen Archery Club.

HandyDART is an accessible, door to door shared transit service for people with permanent or temporary disabilities that prevent them from using conventional or fixed-route transit without assistance.

Neighbours in the area of the proposed facility will have the opportunity to get information, ask questions and provide feedback on the proposal.